Monday 3:00 - Got her shots. The nurse was better this time and put the shots a little lower on her leg so it wouldn't be pinched everytime she pulled her legs back. She was also quick so Estelle didn't even realize she was in pain until all three shots had been administered. I was thankful for that.
Monday 3:10 - Estelle fell asleep on the way home.
Monday 5:00 - She's been whining a lot... just a low groan really.
Tuesday 8:15 - She's been crabby since she got up.
Tuesday 9:00 - Has a temp of 100. I gave her some tylenal. She's napping now.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Bottlefeeding
Before I had Estelle, I never imagined it would be a struggle to get her to drink from a bottle. Last Friday, she refused to take a bottle the entire 7 hours that my in-laws had her. So, we've decided we need to get her used to taking the bottle.
Day 1
*My first attempt at feeding Estelle with a bottle. She refused and cried... a lot. After a while, I handed her over to TJ where she cried some more while he tried. Clearly, she did NOT want a bottle and was mad at us for trying. We did not give in. She managed to swallow an ounce or so between all her crying and fit throwing.
*For our second attempt we were at Jame's house. She still refused and fussed quite a bit. Since it was getting late and we were with friends, I went ahead and nursed her a little to calm her down.
*Before leaving James' house, I tried to feed her one last time. This time she drank a little before fussing and managed to get about an ounce, just enough to keep her happy until we got home and I could nurse her to sleep.
Day 2
*After a couple sucks and swallows, she realized I had given her a bottle and began to cry. She cried and fussed for 15 minutes or so. It got to the point that she was too upset for me to even try anymore. She was kicking her legs and screaming. I simply could not get her to sit still so I laid her in her crib and let her cry for a while. When she'd calmed down a little, I picked her up and tried again. This time, the same as before she sucked for a second before realzing it was a bottle and then began the crying again. After an hour and a half of crying occasionally interrupted by short breaks she finally managed to drink about an ounce and a half from the bottle. Afterwards, she slept for almost three hours.
*This time I caught her when she was just bearly waking from a nap. She was not fully awake but obviously hungry so I got her bottle ready and gave it another try. This time she cried as soon as she saw the bottle, but shortly after I put it in her mouth she gave up crying and began drinking... gulping really. She finished the bottle off in less than a minute and cried when it was empty. I quickly pumped some more milk, but by the time I finished she was no longer interested in eating. I saved the new milk for later.
*TJ managed to feed her a little when he got home from work. She took an ounce or so, with a little fussing.
*At my parents house she fussed a little when I tried to feed her. I got her to eat just enough to keep her happy until we got home where I nursed her to sleep.
Day 3
*I nursed her for her first feeding of the day because I wasn't home and didn't have a bottle with me.
*She took the bottle without even a whimper this time.
*Nursed her again because I was at work and didn't have a bottle.
*Brought a bottle along to church in hopes that a nursry worker might be able to feed her. The nursery worker could not get her to take the bottle, but when I tried, she took it right away. She might have been upset that it wasn't me giving it to her.
Day 1
*My first attempt at feeding Estelle with a bottle. She refused and cried... a lot. After a while, I handed her over to TJ where she cried some more while he tried. Clearly, she did NOT want a bottle and was mad at us for trying. We did not give in. She managed to swallow an ounce or so between all her crying and fit throwing.
*For our second attempt we were at Jame's house. She still refused and fussed quite a bit. Since it was getting late and we were with friends, I went ahead and nursed her a little to calm her down.
*Before leaving James' house, I tried to feed her one last time. This time she drank a little before fussing and managed to get about an ounce, just enough to keep her happy until we got home and I could nurse her to sleep.
Day 2
*After a couple sucks and swallows, she realized I had given her a bottle and began to cry. She cried and fussed for 15 minutes or so. It got to the point that she was too upset for me to even try anymore. She was kicking her legs and screaming. I simply could not get her to sit still so I laid her in her crib and let her cry for a while. When she'd calmed down a little, I picked her up and tried again. This time, the same as before she sucked for a second before realzing it was a bottle and then began the crying again. After an hour and a half of crying occasionally interrupted by short breaks she finally managed to drink about an ounce and a half from the bottle. Afterwards, she slept for almost three hours.
*This time I caught her when she was just bearly waking from a nap. She was not fully awake but obviously hungry so I got her bottle ready and gave it another try. This time she cried as soon as she saw the bottle, but shortly after I put it in her mouth she gave up crying and began drinking... gulping really. She finished the bottle off in less than a minute and cried when it was empty. I quickly pumped some more milk, but by the time I finished she was no longer interested in eating. I saved the new milk for later.
*TJ managed to feed her a little when he got home from work. She took an ounce or so, with a little fussing.
*At my parents house she fussed a little when I tried to feed her. I got her to eat just enough to keep her happy until we got home where I nursed her to sleep.
Day 3
*I nursed her for her first feeding of the day because I wasn't home and didn't have a bottle with me.
*She took the bottle without even a whimper this time.
*Nursed her again because I was at work and didn't have a bottle.
*Brought a bottle along to church in hopes that a nursry worker might be able to feed her. The nursery worker could not get her to take the bottle, but when I tried, she took it right away. She might have been upset that it wasn't me giving it to her.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Grabber
Estelle has recently begun to figure out how to use her hands. She's starting to grab things we put in front of her. The other day as I was laying in bed next to her, looking at her smiling face, she suddenly reach out and grabbed my nose!
Friday, August 10, 2007
Hot, hot, hot!
We're in the middle of a heat advisory and our AC broke. The repairman is supposed to come out later today to look at it. Until then, it's hot, hot, hot in this house.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Rolling
At around 2 months, Estelle managed to roll from her tummy to her back a few times, although probably not intentionally. Now, at 12 weeks, she's beginning to actually work at it and can roll from tummy to back and back to tummy. Yesterday she spent twenty minutes just going back and forth.
Monday, August 06, 2007
Almost 3 months.
Things have been going pretty well for us so far. Estelle has been the most talkative little thing, babbling all the time. She's always smiling and cooing at people.
Her neck has gotten considerably stronger, so she's now able to hold her head steady when in the sitting up position. She likes to practice sitting up in her boppy. It's cute. I don't think it'll be long before she'll be able to sit up on her own.
We've also found that when we hold her with her feet on the ground, she mimics walking by lifting and steping forward with one leg at a time. It's cute because she doesn't just lift the leg a little... she pulls it all the way up to her chest before stepping forward. Very cute.
TJ has found that, if he stands Estelle up on his lap, he can let her go and she'll support her own weight for a couple seconds.
At nighttime Estelle is still getting up every 2-3 hours. Occassionally giving me 4 or 5, but not often. Her daytime naps seem to be getting shorter too and she fights sleep. It's a chore getting her to take a nap at times, but at least she's taking naps in her crib or playpen now... instead of the middle of my bed. We'll have to work on the sleep thing a little more.
Her neck has gotten considerably stronger, so she's now able to hold her head steady when in the sitting up position. She likes to practice sitting up in her boppy. It's cute. I don't think it'll be long before she'll be able to sit up on her own.
We've also found that when we hold her with her feet on the ground, she mimics walking by lifting and steping forward with one leg at a time. It's cute because she doesn't just lift the leg a little... she pulls it all the way up to her chest before stepping forward. Very cute.
TJ has found that, if he stands Estelle up on his lap, he can let her go and she'll support her own weight for a couple seconds.
At nighttime Estelle is still getting up every 2-3 hours. Occassionally giving me 4 or 5, but not often. Her daytime naps seem to be getting shorter too and she fights sleep. It's a chore getting her to take a nap at times, but at least she's taking naps in her crib or playpen now... instead of the middle of my bed. We'll have to work on the sleep thing a little more.
Hair
Estelle's hair has been growing nicely. She is no longer completely bald and now has a nice covering of thin dirty-blonde hair. I, on the other hand, have been loosing my hair. Literally, handfuls. I've heard this happens after pregnancy. If I keep loosing hair at the rate I am, I'll be bald in no time! Aaaaahhhh.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Vaccinations
Estelle just had her 2 month checkup at the pediatrician and had to get her first set of vaccinations. Not fun. I felt terrible when she cried while getting the shots. Poor thing sounded so pathetic. On the way home though, she fell asleep and napped for a few hours after we got home. I thought maybe I was lucky and wouldn't have to deal with a crabby baby as I'd heard many do. After she woke up though, it was a different story. She nursed as usual but suddenly started screaming. Not her normal crabby cry but an "i'm in pain" scream. Her poor little leg was all red and swollen. After 10 minutes of her screaming, I called the pediatrician and asked if this was normal. They said it was, but that if she were to continue crying for a full hour, that I should call them back. The poor thing cried for 30 minutes before I was finally able to calm her down by laying her on my bed and letting her nurse. That was the only position I could get her in and hold her legs down so she wouldn't pull them up and irriate the spots where she got her shots. As long as her legs were securely down she would calm down, but if she moved them it was back to the screaming. For the rest of the evening she didn't have much of an appetite and would cry anytime she moved her legs.
Then I made the mistake of reading scary vaccination stories on the internet. You know, the ones that talk about babies dying the day after they got their vaccinations. NOT a good idea! For the next 24 hours I wouldn't let Estelle out of my sight. If she so much as whimpered, I was there to soothe her. Who cares if I might be spoiling her. At least this way, if something terrible were to happen, I would have no regrets about what I did. I can't imagine the guilt felt by those mothers who let their babies "cry it out" only to find them dead in the morning. Even though the crying isn't what killed them, just to think that the babies last moments were alone, crying in a crib is enough to bring tears to my eyes.
I've decided that since Estelle is in the age bracket the most at risk for SIDS, I'm going to love on her as much as I can because there's no guaruntee that I'll have her tomorrow.
Then I made the mistake of reading scary vaccination stories on the internet. You know, the ones that talk about babies dying the day after they got their vaccinations. NOT a good idea! For the next 24 hours I wouldn't let Estelle out of my sight. If she so much as whimpered, I was there to soothe her. Who cares if I might be spoiling her. At least this way, if something terrible were to happen, I would have no regrets about what I did. I can't imagine the guilt felt by those mothers who let their babies "cry it out" only to find them dead in the morning. Even though the crying isn't what killed them, just to think that the babies last moments were alone, crying in a crib is enough to bring tears to my eyes.
I've decided that since Estelle is in the age bracket the most at risk for SIDS, I'm going to love on her as much as I can because there's no guaruntee that I'll have her tomorrow.
Monday, July 09, 2007
Roll with it!
I have yet to catch her on video, but Estelle rolled over last night. She's only 2 months old, so it really came as a surprise to me. I didn't know the could do it that early.
Monday, July 02, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
Co-Sleeping
I can only guess how many people have read the title of this post and are already shaking your heads. Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but it's true and, honestly, I'm perfectly happy with this arrangement. For the first five weeks of Estelle's life we tried to get her to sleep in her bassinet. However, spending 3 or more hours each night trying to get her to sleep only to have her awaken crying only one or two hours after we put her down is not my idea of healthy parenting. All of us were loosing sleep and were reaching the ends of our ropes. I thought she had colic with all the crying she was doing each night. And it was more than frustraiting that I often had to be the one to put her down because nursing was often the only thing that could calm her down. So, one night, grumpy and tired, instead of sitting up in bed to feed her like I usually did, I just laid down next to me and let her nurse while I drifted back to sleep. To my amazement she and I both slept for three full hours before she wanted to nurse again. Her next sleep stretch was just as long.
So, the next night, instead of battling her for hours as we had been, I simply took her directly to my bed and let her nurse until we both fell asleep. She didn't fuss and instead went right to sleep for three full hours. And that sealed the deal. Since then I've been getting restful nights of sleep and feel great. I think that with more sleep, I'm able to function better as a parent, which, in the end, works out better for all of us.
And for those of you who believe co-sleeping is terrible, here are a few co-sleeping facts you probably didn't know.
*Co-sleeping is century's old and was always considered to be the only natural thing to do. Only recently has it become taboo. Like breastfeeding... it's making a comback.
*Co-sleeping actually reduces risk of SIDS because the baby usually rolls onto it's back after nursing and the back is the safest way to sleep. And because baby's breathing is more regular when she sleeps next to mom. (SIDS is often caused by baby failing to breathe when in deep sleep)
*Co-sleeping allows both mother and baby to get more restful sleep... especially if the mother is breastfeeding.
*Co-sleeping babies have fewer stress hormones and cry considerably less.
And finally, food for thought:
If you were a newborn baby brought into this strange new world. Would you rather learn to fall asleep in a big, lonely, dark crib or comfortably cuddled next to your favorite person in the world?
So, the next night, instead of battling her for hours as we had been, I simply took her directly to my bed and let her nurse until we both fell asleep. She didn't fuss and instead went right to sleep for three full hours. And that sealed the deal. Since then I've been getting restful nights of sleep and feel great. I think that with more sleep, I'm able to function better as a parent, which, in the end, works out better for all of us.
And for those of you who believe co-sleeping is terrible, here are a few co-sleeping facts you probably didn't know.
*Co-sleeping is century's old and was always considered to be the only natural thing to do. Only recently has it become taboo. Like breastfeeding... it's making a comback.
*Co-sleeping actually reduces risk of SIDS because the baby usually rolls onto it's back after nursing and the back is the safest way to sleep. And because baby's breathing is more regular when she sleeps next to mom. (SIDS is often caused by baby failing to breathe when in deep sleep)
*Co-sleeping allows both mother and baby to get more restful sleep... especially if the mother is breastfeeding.
*Co-sleeping babies have fewer stress hormones and cry considerably less.
And finally, food for thought:
If you were a newborn baby brought into this strange new world. Would you rather learn to fall asleep in a big, lonely, dark crib or comfortably cuddled next to your favorite person in the world?
Friday, June 08, 2007
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Early Bird
It is currently 4:49 AM. Estelle decided to be an early bird today. She woke up at 4:15 to nurse and is wide awake and not looking like she's gonna go back down. That's ok with me though. Perhaps her getting up earlier will mean an earlier bedtime tonight. We shall see...
Monday, June 04, 2007
Sleep
Last night I got a terrible migrane shortly after we got home from church. At first it was just a headache, but after an hour or so it turned into a full blown migrane, complete with nasuea and sensitivity to noise and light. I took a couple tylenal then nursed Estelle before lying down to rest. TJ, bless his heart, took Estelle downstairs because she was fussy. He rocked her and took care of her so I could get some sleep. I woke up four hours later and felt completely better. I felt fully rested at 2:30 am. Who would've known that only four hours of sleep could do so much good.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
She Smiled!
I know that babies aren't supposed to smile until around 6 weeks, but I really think she smiled today (at three weeks). I've seen her grimace from gas before, and that looks kinda like a smile, but this was different. She seemed excited and made a happy noise while she busted out the biggest smile. Then, when I smiled and talked back to her, she did it again! I got like three or four smiles out of her. If only I could have caught it on camera....
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Breastfeeding
My issues with breastfeeding started immediately. At the hospital, Estelle was too sleepy after birth and wouldn't stay awake for a full feeding. (I blame the drugs) We kept trying and only ended up frustraited. Finally, before leaving the hospital, the lactation consultant gave me a "game plan" to use until breastfeeding was established. The plan was for me to offer the breast at each feeding. If she took it, great. If not, I would feed her expressed milk and then I would pump and store new milk for the next feeding if she refused again.
When I got home, the plan worked and soon enough Estelle was taking the breast only. However, a new problem arose in place of the old one. Engorgement... which is supposed to last only a day or two after the milk comes in. Well... it didn't. Turns out, I have what's known as "overabundant milk supply"... meaning I produce too much milk. Every time I want to feed her, I have to express some milk BEFORE I feed her in order to soften things up so she can latch. Otherwise, the breasts are too hard for her to get a good latch. In only a couple minutes of expressing, I'm usually getting a few ounces per side. I know it doesn't seem like much... but when you consider how often this happens during they day, you will see that it adds up... fast. I've only been home from the hospital for a week and I've already stored 17 5oz bags of milk. That's more than 2 bottles full per day! I've now started just dumping the extra milk as there's no more room in my freezer and I've already got enough frozen to last though quite a few babysitting feedings.
I'm now trying to decrease my milk supply by avoiding expressing whenever possible. I let her try to latch before I pump now.. although it rarely works. And I've given up pumping between feedings... which I occasionally did for rellief. (engorgement hurts!) I'm just hoping my supply decreases soon. I leak all the time an it's gotten to be quite annoying.
When I got home, the plan worked and soon enough Estelle was taking the breast only. However, a new problem arose in place of the old one. Engorgement... which is supposed to last only a day or two after the milk comes in. Well... it didn't. Turns out, I have what's known as "overabundant milk supply"... meaning I produce too much milk. Every time I want to feed her, I have to express some milk BEFORE I feed her in order to soften things up so she can latch. Otherwise, the breasts are too hard for her to get a good latch. In only a couple minutes of expressing, I'm usually getting a few ounces per side. I know it doesn't seem like much... but when you consider how often this happens during they day, you will see that it adds up... fast. I've only been home from the hospital for a week and I've already stored 17 5oz bags of milk. That's more than 2 bottles full per day! I've now started just dumping the extra milk as there's no more room in my freezer and I've already got enough frozen to last though quite a few babysitting feedings.
I'm now trying to decrease my milk supply by avoiding expressing whenever possible. I let her try to latch before I pump now.. although it rarely works. And I've given up pumping between feedings... which I occasionally did for rellief. (engorgement hurts!) I'm just hoping my supply decreases soon. I leak all the time an it's gotten to be quite annoying.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Monday, April 30, 2007
Getting Close?
I hate to get my hopes up, but last night and today I've been having the faintest cramps. So far I've seen no pattern in my BH contractions, but I wonder if the cramps means something is about to happen. I sure hope so.
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